Neckwear support structure

ABSTRACT

A neckwear support structure comprising a resilient band defining an arc of more then 180* having an upper edge located in a plane. The outer wall of the neckwear support structure is substantially perpendicular to the upper edge plane adjacent the free ends of the band, and defines a progressively decreasing angle with the upper edge plane at locations spaced from the free ends. The support structure further includes hook means connected to the upper edge intermediate the ends of the structure, and neckwear support means on the band located equidistant from said ends and defining a flat surface spaced from the outer wall.

United States Patent [1 1 Seibert [54] NECKWEAR SUPPORT STRUCTURE [75] Inventor: Franklin J. Seibert, Westmo nt, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Ja-Dor Inc.

[22] Filed: Sept. 14, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 71,737

[52] U.S. Cl ..2/155 [51] Int. Cl. ..A41d 25/16 [58] Field of Search ...2/l52 R, 152 A,153, 155,156

[56] References Cited v UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,513,483 5/1970 Kanter et al. 3,335,427 8/1967 Eads 764,728 7/1904 Janos ..2/155 FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS 1,064,894 9/1959 Germany....'..... ..2/152 A Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson Attorney-Dressler, Goldsmith, Clement & Gordon [57] ABSTRACT A neckwear support structure comprising a resilient band defining an arc of more then 180 having an upper edge located in a plane. The outer wall of the neckwear support structure is substantially perpendicular to the upper edge plane adjacent the free ends of the band, and defines a progressively decreasing angle with the upper edge plane at locations spaced from the free ends. The support structure further includes hook means connected to the upper edge intermediate the ends of the structure, and neckwear support means on the band located equidistant from said ends and defining a flat surface spaced from the outer wall. a

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures NECKWEAR SUPPORT STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to neckwear and more particularly to an improved structure for supporting decorative neckwear, such as a medallion.

In recent years, the change in fashion, particularly mens wear, has resulted in getting away from the wearing of the customary necktie and resort to other items to replace the necktie. For example, the use of ascots, scarves, and other paraphernalia for a replacement for ties has become rather popular. In other instances, it has become customary for a certain segment of the population to resort to the use of medallions rather than the conventional neckwear presently being worn.

However, no adequate support structure is available for supporting a medallion in a location where a tie would normally be worn with a dress shirt.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates a simple and inexpensive medallion support which can readily be attached to the upper edge of a conventional dress shirt with a majority of the support being hidden under the collar of the shirt. The medallion supporting structure is specifically configured and designed so as to conform to the configuration of the neck of a person wearing the device.

Accordingly, the neckwear supporting structure of the present invention includes a resilient arcuate band terminating in free ends and having an upper edge located in a plane with an outer wall depending from the upper edge. The outer wall is substantially perpendicular to the plane adjacent the free ends and defines a progressively decreasing angle with said plane at locations spaced from the ends, to produce a minimum angle at a point equidistant from the ends. The structure further includes neckwear support means located intermediate the ends of the band and comprising a main portion defining a flat surface spaced from the outer surface of the wall defining the band. A hook is integrally formed with the upper edge of the band adjacent the neckwear support means, with the hook defining a slot for receiving the upper edge of the shirt between the ends of the collar. Preferably, a flat surface of the support means is inclined downwardly and outwardly from the outer wall of the support structure and is trapezoidal in configuration with openings therein for receiving attaching means forming part of the medallion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the neckwear support device in its position on the collar of a dress shirt;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and I FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing a slight modification of the hook portion of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there isshown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail one specific embodiment, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated.

In the drawings, the neckwear supporting device is generally designated by the reference numeral 10 and includes a band 12 with neckwear support means, generally designated by the reference numeral 14.

According to one aspect of the invention, the band is shaped and configured to be maintained on the neck without the use of any clamping devices and is also designed to conform in general configuration to the neck of a wearer. For this purpose, the band 12 has an upper edge 20 and a lower edge 22 with a wall 24 extending between the edges and having a constant thickness substantially less than the spacing between the edges.

As is more clearly shown in FIG. 3, the wall 24 is substantially perpendicular to a plane 23 defined by the edge 22 adjacent the free ends 28 of the band and defines a progressively decreasing angle with the plane at locations spaced from the free ends 28. Since the band is of substantially uniform thickness at all locations, the configuration of the band as described above, will locate the inner surface substantially perpendicular to the plane 23 adjacent the free ends and at an angle intermediate the ends. Such an arrangement is desirable since the configuration of the band will thereby conform substantially to the configuration of the neck portion around which it is worn.

According to another aspect of the invention, the band 12, including band portions and 12b, is arcuate in configuration and defines an arc of more than (FIG. 3) so that the free end portions 28 will be located somewhere rearwardly of the maximum transverse dimension of the neck and clamp around the neck to insure that the band will be securely retained in position. Such an arrangement eliminates the need for providing clips which will attach directly to the shirt.

To further insure that the neckwear support device is retained in proper position adjacent the collar, hook means 30 extend from the wall of the upper edge of the band and cooperate with the inner surface of the wall of the band to define a slot 32. Thus, the hook means includes a first portion 34 which extends inwardly from the upper edge towards the free ends 28 and a second portion 36 that is integral with the free end of the portion 34 and extends downwardly below the upper edge 20. Thus, the portions cooperate with the inner or adjacent surface of the band to produce the slot 32. With this arrangement, the band may be inserted around the neck under the collar and then the band can readily be slipped down so that the slot 32 receives the upper end portion of the shirt between the ends of the collar.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the neckwear support means 30 includes a main portion 40 defining a surface 42 which is flat and trapezoidal in configuration and is integrally joined to the main band by flanges 42 extending from opposite edges of the main portion 40. As is more clearly shown in FIG. 2, the flat surface is spaced from and located at an angle relative to the outer surface of the band 12. An inspection of FIG. 2 will show flat surface of the main portion 40 flares downwardly and outwardly with respect to the outer surface of the band. The main portion 40 further includes openings 46 defined therein for receiving attaching means normally forming part of the neckwear to be worn.

FIG. 1 of the drawings schematically shows an ovalshaped medallion 50 as it would be arranged on the surface of the main portion 40 and would be attached to the support means 14 by having elements (not shown) extending through the openings 46.

The configuration of the band 12 as well as the specific arrangement of the support means has several significant advantages. Of prime importance is the fact that the inner surface of the band conforms substantially to the configuration of the portion of the neck around which it is worn. Thus, the entire inner surface of the band is in substantial contact with the neck, more particularly, the surface of the shirt and is located in close proximity to the neck at all points so that it will not be apparent to an observer. Furthermore, the arrangement of the flat surface of the support means at an angle relative to the outer surface of the band will allow for all of the medallion supporting device to be completely covered even with a small medallion. In addition, having the band 12 extend the major circumferential difference around the neck of the wearer will insure that the unit or device is adequately secured without the use of fasteners and the hook means 30 will further prevent any movement of the device on the shirt. An additional advantage of the present construction is that the entire unit can readily be molded in a single step process from various types of inexpensive plastic materials.

A slightly modified embodiment of the hook means is shown in FIG. 4 wherein the depending leg portion 36a of the hook 300 depends from the first portion 34a in a manner to locate the depending portion parallel to the inner or adjacent surface of the band. This will locate the outer surface of the depending leg 36 substantially parallel to the surface of the neck and prevent the hook from projecting towards the neck of the wearer.

As will be appreciated, the present invention provides a simple and inexpensive one-piece unit for supporting a medallion in the location ofa necktie. The entire unit or device can readily be put on without the necessity of manipulating various types of clips or clasps heretofore utilized in devices of this general character.

What is claimed is:

l. A neckwear support device comprising an arcuate resilient band terminating in free ends and having an upper edge located in a plane, with a wall depending from said upper edge, the outer surface of said wall being substantially perpendicular to the plane of said upper edge adjacent said free ends and defining a progressively decreasing angle with said plane at locations spaced from said ends; hook means connected to said edge intermediate said ends; and neckwear support means on said band intermediate said ends, said support means comprising a main portion defining a flat surface spaced from the outer surface of said wall.

2. A neckwear support device as defined in claim 1,

in which said support surface is an ularly related to said outer surface and 1s substantia y trapezoidal m configuration and said support means includes flanges integral with opposite edges of said main portion and said wall.

3. A neckwear support device as defined in claim 1, in which said band defines an arc of more than 4. A neckwear support device as defined in claim 1, in which said hook means includes a first portion extending inwardly from said wall portion of said device and a second portion integral with said first portion and extending downwardly below said upper edge, said second portion having an adjacent surface spaced from an adjacent surface of said wall.

5. A neckwear support device as defined in claim 4 in which said downwardly extending second portion is substantially parallel to said adjacent surface of said wall.

6. A neckwear support device as defined in claim 1, in which said fiat surface is angularly related to said outer surface and flares downwardly and outwardly with respect to said outer surface.

7. A neckwear support device comprising an arcuate resilient band defining an arc of more than 180 and terminating in free ends, said band having an upper edge terminating in a plane with a wall depending from said upper edge, the outer surface of said wall being substantially perpendicular to the plane of said upper edge adjacent said free ends and defining a progressively decreasing angle with said plane at locations spaced from said ends; hook means connected to said wall intermediate said ends, said hook means including a first portion extending inwardly from said wall and a second portion extending downwardly below said upper edge adjacent the free end of said first portion; and neckwear support means on said band intermediate said ends, said support means comprising a main portion having a polygonal surface flaring downwardly and outwardly with respect to said outer surface and flanges integral with said opposite edges of said main portion and said wall. 

1. A neckwear support device comprising an arcuate resilient band terminating in free ends and having an upper edge located in a plane, with a wall depending from said upper edge, the outer surface of said wall being substantially perpendicular to the plane of said upper edge adjacent said free ends and defining a progressively decreasing angle with said plane at locations spaced from said ends; hook means connected to said edge intermediate said ends; and neckwear support means on said band intermediate said ends, said support means comprising a main portion defining a flat surface spaced from the outer surface of said wall.
 2. A neckwear support device as defined in claim 1, in which said support surface is angularly related to said outer surface and is substantially trapezoidal in configuration and said support means includes flanges integral with opposite edges of said main portion and said wall.
 3. A neckwear support device as defined in claim 1, in which said band defines an arc of more than 180*.
 4. A neckwear support device as defined in claim 1, in which said hook means includes a first portion extending inwardly from said wall portion of said device and a second portion integral with said first portion and extending downwardly below said upper edge, said second portion having an adjacent surface spaced from an adjacent surface of said wall.
 5. A neckwear support device as defined in claim 4 in which said downwardly extending second portion is substantially parallel to said adjacent surface of said wall.
 6. A neckwear support device as defined in claim 1, in which said flat surface is angularly related to said outer surface and flares downwardly and outwardly with respect to said outer surface.
 7. A neckwear support device comprising an arcuate resilient band defining an arc of more than 180* and terminating in free ends, said band having an upper edge terminating in a plane with a wall depending from said upper edge, the outer suRface of said wall being substantially perpendicular to the plane of said upper edge adjacent said free ends and defining a progressively decreasing angle with said plane at locations spaced from said ends; hook means connected to said wall intermediate said ends, said hook means including a first portion extending inwardly from said wall and a second portion extending downwardly below said upper edge adjacent the free end of said first portion; and neckwear support means on said band intermediate said ends, said support means comprising a main portion having a polygonal surface flaring downwardly and outwardly with respect to said outer surface and flanges integral with said opposite edges of said main portion and said wall. 